Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Nathan (son of David) - Wikipedia Sauls hopes of David falling by the hand of the Philistines is once again thwarted because David killed 200 Philistines and gave double the agreed-upon dowry. What Can Galileo Teach Us about Science and Faith? The lesson here is that David often took a more passive approach to discipline his children, allowing their base emotions, sin, and selfish ambitions to go unchallenged and grow into reckless, even deadly behavior. David and Solomon would have grown up hearing the stories of Gods redemption of their family line through Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer. The list of wives married during his exile is repeated in 2 Samuel 3:2-5. David and Bathsheba Bible Story and 10 Important Lessons Consumed with lust for power, Saul sought to destroy David because Gods favor rested on him, and David was deemed a contender for the throne (1 Samuel 18:12-16). Later Absalom tried to usurp David. What Makes Makoto Fujimura a Great Christian Artist? But Nathans prophecies still come true. Who was King David's favorite wife? - remodelormove.com David sends for Bathshebas husband to come home to try to cover up his sin. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (1 John 1:9-10), David and Bathsheba's story is a traumatic one, but also one that God redeems. David's Wives in the Bible - Who Were They and Their Story David's mighty men were a group of his best thirty-seven fighters (later expanded to around eighty). Pastor and therapist Ted Roberts gives an interesting theory in his book Pure Desire and other resources: David may have been stuck in a cycle of sexual bondage. Like many men struggling with pornography or sexual issues, David had a harsh relationship with his father, who called David his youngest son, using a Hebrew word that also means unimportant. Men with sexual issues also have illicit behavior they try to hide (David hid his affair with Bathsheba), and pass on their dysfunctional behavior to their children without ever confronting the problem (Amnon rapes his half-sister, David got angry but did nothing about it). Integrity guards your heart, mind, emotions, and actions. Who Were King David's Wives in the Bible - Names and Importance So, they were at least on speaking terms later in life. If Christians are not ready, they will get blind-sided by such objections and may even suffer doubt of their own faith. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. David took her back after he became king of Judah (2 Samuel 3:12-6). In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts David concerning his sin with Bathsheba and pronounces a judgment against David. Are they more prone to sexual sin than regular people? David killed a lot of people in battle. Dig into the Word and become a Bible expert with Amazing Facts line of study Bibles and more. It may be shocking to suggest King David had sexual issues, but its not out of the question. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Many Christians purposefully neglect studying the Mosaic Law. Politicians, mega-pastors, coaches, professional athletes, corporate leaders. Stephen Baker is a graduate of Mount Union University. But who were David's children exactly, who did they grow up to be, and how were their lives shaped by their complicated and sometimes troubled relationship with their famous father? No matter how active we are in our children's lives, our children grow up and must one day choose for themselves whether they will serve the Lord or go their own way. Bathsheba(2 Sam ch.11 ch.12)(1 Kin ch. David - passionate poet and in love, lyrical singer, courageous in battle and completely Gd-fearing, yet humble and willing to take responsibility and admit his mistakes. Michals husband Paltiel trails behind her, weeping (2 Samuel 3:13-17). She was separated from her husband as a military wife, was taken advantage of by her king, grieved a murdered spouse, became pregnant with the king's baby, married the king becoming his fourth wife, and then lost her baby. A warrior, David becomes king to establish and lead Israel as a God-fearing nation, unlike the surrounding nations. The plan worked. Years later, Absalom became convinced he could do a better job as king than his seemingly passive father. An inspiring passage from Scripture delivered to your inbox every day! He is the writer of a special Scripture study/reflection addendum to Someplace to Be Somebody, authored by his wife, Lisa Loraine Baker (End Game Press Spring 2022). The complex family David created was the source of much sorrow and strife. Although Nathan is the third son raised by David and Bathsheba, he is the fourth born to Bathsheba. These deals on incredible witnessing and Bible resources dont last long! In fact, this would fulfill a prophecy Nathan gave when he rebuked David for his infidelity: someone in his household would rebel against him, someone who would shame David by sleeping with Davids wives in public (2 Samuel 12:11-12). David refused to discipline Amnon, so Tamars brother Absalom killed Amnon in revenge and fled to escape punishment (2 Samuel 13). Early intervention, discipline, and instruction could mean the difference between life and death later on. They are all mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3. More importantly, God's mercy and promise to David remained true. Among other things, the fact David chose to have multiple wives proves he was a sinner. In his epistle to the Romans, Paul mentions the edifying nature of the entire Old Testament stating, For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scripture we might have hope (Romans 15:4). Who Committed Adultery in the Bible - Missional Manifesto This story is a classic example of a powerful man and a powerless woman. We dont have to look far to see that power corrupts. It is told in the book of 2 Samuel 11. With malintent, Saul initially tried to give his first daughter, Merab, to David in marriage to put David in peril by the hand of the Philistines. Even knowing she was another man's wife, David . He cant sleep (maybe because hes not fulfilling his purpose? He sends for her and has sexual relations with her, knowing it's wrong. Amazing Facts 24/7 television station featuring the best in Bible study streamed lived and on-demand. To consummate his insurrection, Absalom slept with his father's concubines in public for everyone to see (2 Samuel 16:20-23). Paul Carter, in his TGC article 'Did King David Rape Bathsheba? Listen to all of Amazing Facts audio programming whenever and wherever you go. According to 1 Kings 1:11, the prophet Nathan urged Bathsheba to tell David that Adonijah was preparing to take the throne by force. 1), ***Note: Some believe that David was also married to Merab based upon (1 Sam 17:25), however (1 Sam 18:17-19)(2 Sam 21:8) appears to disprove this. Why Was David Allowed to Take so Many Wives (and Who Were They)? He did not set a godly example, and he did not call his children to live godly lives. What Makes Twila Paris a Great Christian Musician? Eventually, all of his decisions were made poorly. Much like his son Solomon, David had lots of wives, but it created trouble and strife. David consoled Bathsheba by getting her pregnant again, this time with a son the named Solomon. All rights reserved. After she was taken away from him, he married Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. He won King Sauls daughter Michal for killing 400 Philistines and cutting off their foreskins. Absalom killed Amnon his brother, and then Absalom was killed. David's history suggests that he used many women to balance out his faults (lust, violence, and ego). By now David was old and feeble, and his oldest surviving son, Adonijah, attempted to usurp the throne before his father died. How Many Wives Did King David Have and What Do We Know about Them? How many of David's sons became lustful, greedy, and ambitious like their father? Chileab (or Daniel . Bathsheba told her aged husband that only their son Solomon remained loyal, so the king named Solomon his co-regent. However, most scholars believe there were two ladies named Ahinoam. The best evidence pointing to this is that Davids wife Ahinoam is always referred to as Ahinoam of Jezreel (1 Sam 25:43) or Ahinoam the Jezreelitess (1 Sam 27:3)(1 Sam 30:5)(2 Sam 2:2)(2 Sam 3:2)(1 Chr 3:1), while Sauls wife Ahinoam is referred to as the daughter of Ahimazz (1 Sam 14:50). The second is that their stories show us a side of David we often forget. News reached Saul that his daughter, Michal, loved David. Davids laziness in rooting out lust overlaps into a laziness of calling and purpose. In 2020, Sue won a Selah Award for her nonfiction book Soulspeak: Praying Change into Unexpected Places. The story of David and Bathsheba is not a love story or at least it didn't start that way. In every time and season, there is an opportunity to share hope in Christ. A guide for walking through all of Scripture in just a yearwith catch-up days built in. It is likely David had even more sons and daughters that the Bible does not record since we know he had several more unnamed wives and perhaps even more concubines through which he fathered children (1 Chronicles 3:9). Access dozens of Amazing Facts topical Scripture books from Pastor Doug and others. Adonijah would be Davids oldest living son by the time David died and would try to claim the throne for himself. Bathsheba and David: Biblical Romance and Tragedy. David also had a son with Bathsheba before she bore Solomon. (Proverbs 11:14), Lean into God for forgiveness, comfort, and direction. Although she seems passive at the beginning of her relationship with David, Bathsheba becameKing David's active support at the end of his life, as she secured David's throne for their son, Solomon, who was destined to become a wise, if flawed, ruler of Israel. God removes Davids guilt and shame, but God does not remove the natural consequences that Davids sinful patterns produced. Prior to fleeing from King Saul, David had also married Michal, the daughter of Saul (1 Samuel 18:27-28). Amnon David's oldest son grew up to be a selfish, licentious young man who was consumed with lust for his virgin half-sister Tamar. Their later marriage seems to have been close ( 2 Samuel 12:24) and loyal ( 1 Kings 1:28-31 ). We can learn much from his mistakes. David slept with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriahs death when he discovered Bathsheba was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:14-27). Unfortunately, neglect and sins of omission in parenting have lasting consequences in the lives of our children, who we are called to instruct, discipline, and lovingly reprove (Ephesians 6:4). This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. We don't know if David dealt with Amnon's sin following Tamar's rape, but there's not much evidence in the Bible to confirm that he did much of anything. Bathsheba in the Bible - character, marriage, and life lessons Following Amnon's murder, Absalom fled Jerusalem and did not return for another three years. Related: Listen to our FREE Bible podcast,How to Study the Bible! The Rabbis are concerned with the causes and harsh consequences of David's sin, but completely disregard Bathsheba's . She was originally the wife of Uriah the Hittite, a trusted soldier in David's army. Like most of us, David must have grown tired of fighting spiritual and physical enemies. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. Through his messengers, David learned that she was Bathsheba, wife of Uriah the Hittite, who had gone to battle for David. David enjoys a beautiful relationship with God after his sin, writing many more Psalms of worship and thanksgiving. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), Guard your heart. David's Rape of Bathsheba and Murder of Uriah (2 | Theology of Work It's our job as parents to build a biblical foundation for our children, teaching them to know God and stand firm in the truth of God's Word early. 2 Samuel 3:2-5 (NASB) Therefore, it appears that either 1) David never married Saul's wives, 2) the wives of Saul became David's wives or concubines since 2 Samuel 5:13-16 and 1 Chronicles 3:9 tells us that David had other wives and concubines or 3) David only cared for Saul's wives since they were . Bathsheba is portrayed by the midrash as a modest woman who carefully observed the laws of family purity, but who found herself, without any conscious action on her part, in an adulterous affair with the king. As a result, Bathsheba became pregnant with their illegitimate child and told David he was the father. God forgave Davidand usof any and all confessed sin. All of these theories have some evidence behind them and leave us with something to chew on. David humbly refused and stated he was unworthy to be the kings son-in-law (1 Samuel 18:17-19). The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. They are as follows: Michal:She is the first of Davids wives. When presented with the polygamous lifestyle of David (or anyone else for that matter) it is essential for us to keep several overarching truths in mind. David already had three wives before he married Bathsheba. The slayer of giants, the hero of Israel, the man who pursued God with all his heart. Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. Thus King David was relaxing on a palace balcony above the city when he spied a beautiful woman taking a bath. However, after Solomon became king, Adonijah used Bathsheba to ask Solomon a favor: he wanted Abishags hand in marriage (1 Kings 2:13-23). Doing the right thing, regardless of circumstances, is true righteousness. This son died seven days after his birth (2 Samuel 12:16-23), and it is possible that he is not included in this list. God always opens pathways to repentance and freedom for us and provides escape routes for every temptation we encounter (1 Corinthians 10:13) If we ignore those, God will provide conviction when we sin (1 John 1:9). Does 2 Samuel 12:8 mean God approved of David's polygamy? David flew into a rage, demanding to know who the man was so that he could exact judgment on him. Even so, it wasnt too late to ask for forgiveness and return to intimacy with the Father. Here are the eight wives: Michalwas Davids original wife, Sauls daughter whom David won by killing 100 Philistines (1 Samuel 18:24-27). Then Nathan reveals that the story is about Davids sin against Bathsheba and Uriah. We dont know about five of his wives other than which sons they bore. Each of his first six wives bore David a son, while Bathsheba bore him four sons. Click here to read it. 4. Abigail wisely entreated David not to kill Nabal, and he had mercy. See how your gifts made a lasting difference recently. Worship with Pastor Dougs church each week, featuring beautiful music and life-changing Bible study. Astle, Cynthia. Before David took the throne, he used his power to serve others, perhaps most notably the defenseless cities of Keilah and Ziklag (1 Samuel 23:1-14; 30:1-31), but with Bathsheba he abused his power first to serve his lust, and then to preserve his reputation. David then married Abigail, and she had a son named Daniel. How many wives did King David have in the Bible? - JesusAlive.cc And David did repent before the Lord. Our sin nature gravitates toward selfishness and self-pleasure. Who Are King David's Children in the Bible? Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. Bad decisions have lasting consequences. In all of Scripture, the life of David may be the most dramatic recorded. All rights reserved. We know Michal was devoted to David, enough to hide him from her own father. That example would come through his descendent, Jesus Christ, in whom David's broken, imperfect family would be redeemed, and all people could be forgiven, restored, and redeemed. Eventually, Absalom was ousted and killed (2 Samuel 18), but the troubles continued. In 2020, he won First Prize for Best Feature Story in a regional contest by the Colorado Press Association Network. Regardless of which one is correct, the fact remains David made a mistake having so many wives. Abigail: Davids second wife, Abigail, is found in 1 Samuel 25 during the saga of Davids life when he fled King Saul. The baby has been born and at least nine months have passed, but David has not repented. This is done to give Uriah the opportunity to go home and sleep with his wife so that he can pass as the father of Bathshebas child. The account is given for our instruction and encouragement. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306. The fact that an innocent child diesinstead of the guilty pairis troubling in light of what we know of God's . Join Pastor Dougs church for special music, inspiring sermons, and empowering church training. The David and Bathsheba story involved the ironic and subtle juxtapositions comparing Uriah who was supremely faithful to his king and comrades to David who is not faithful to either but allowed his lust to blind him to his sin. Bathsheba, Mother of Solomon, Wife of King David, David and Goliath Bible Story Study Guide, Battle of Jericho Bible Story Study Guide, Meet Absalom, Rebellious Son of King David, Was It Rape? Whether Bathsheba is guilty or not, is less important in the Bible than the guilt of the king himself: Nathan comes to David, not Bathsheba, to point out the error of his ways. Incongruence happens when we ignore or disobey Gods laws. Witness to friends and family with these powerhouse resources on a wide variety of biblical topics. God sends Nathan the prophet to tell David a story about injustice, and David takes the bait. 2. Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, David's fifth wife.5. Learn Religions, Sep. 10, 2021, learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306. Amon treated Tamar as a used and unwanted outcast, a reputation she likely carried for the rest of her life. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Access to our entire media library in one easy-to-use and easy-to-search location. Judging from Solomon's later wisdom, which we read in the Proverbs, it seems David had succeeded in instructing and building a solid spiritual foundation for his son to stand upon (1 Kings 2). How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? It is all too common for skeptics and mockers to cite such things in Scripture to devalue the moral integrity of the Bible and dismiss the possibility of Scripture being Gods Word. When David died, Solomon became king after executing his rival Adonijah. The Bible states he had many wives, but never adds anything like and this was accorded to him as wisdom which would imply God approved. David stopped grooming integrity. Lets take a look at what the Bible tells us about them. The Bible tells us that Bathsheba gave birth to a child following her adulterous affair with David. In Davids old age, Adonijah declared himself king, and David had to quickly crown Solomon to clear matters up (1 King 1:5-52). Suppose you make some terrible decision in your life that is irreversible. But power and money makes us feel like we deserve certain indulgences we might not have without a position of power. A:We cannot not know for certain how many wives David had. URGENT! I dont think so. The infamous account of how she became Davids wife is found in 2 Samuel 11. David had seven wives prior to Bathsheba. Davids character influenced his childrens character. Uriah the Hittite - Wikipedia The story of Bathsheba and David has proved so enduring that religious commentators still debate the quality of the sin involvedand its plot has been borrowed for countless romance novels, movies, and daytime dramas. His many wives resulted in many children with rivalries and unhealthy relationships with each other. Article Images Copyright . In addition, David had an unknown number of concubines. (1 Chr 3:9)(2 Sam 5:13)(2 Sam 16:21-22)(2 Sam 20:3 tells us he had at least 10). David loved the Lord and loved his children, but he too made mistakes, failed in many areas as a parent, and cried out to God for wisdom and forgiveness throughout his life. This was done in accordance with the Mosaic law which gave instruction on how soldiers were to keep themselves pure during the time of war. Psalm 32 relays how Davids sin and restoration affected him physically, psychologically, and spiritually. David clearly struggled with this many times. This plan failed as Uriah faithfully refused to even go home, lest he sleep with his wife. As told in 2 Samuel 11-12, Bathsheba was married to Uriah, one of Davids mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). Bathsheba had no rights. He attends Faith Fellowship Church in East Rochester, OH where he has given multiple sermons and is discipled by pastor Chet Howes. He killed a lot of prisoners after battles. Shortly after Davids affair with Bathsheba, Davids oldest son Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar. She finds out shes pregnant. Others have speculated that in the pagan societies surrounding Israel, having multiple wives was a way kings showed their power. As mentioned earlier, Adonijah then used the almost concubine status of Abishag to try and get closer to the throne. Thus, although Abishag was not Davids wife or concubine, her intimate connection with the king resulted in people using her as a pawn. 7. David, like all other human beings, was not a robot. Their names are not recorded. Davids children repeated his sins. Solomon as David's life on earth came to an end, God chose Solomon, Bathsheba's fourth son, to succeed David as king of Israel. 16 Facts About King David - OverviewBible While reading through Davids life, it is evident he did not always make good decisions. 2 Samuel 11:1 records that the king sent his army out to wage war, but he himself stayed behind in Jerusalem. It would have been a cruel act for David to put away Bathsheba after the death of her husband and baby through his influence. Chileab (or Daniel), whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal, who David married after the death her husband (1 Samuel 25).3. So, based on what we know, David had at least eight wives, and we learn in 2 Samuel that he had at least ten concubines. The prophet Nathan rebuked David, and Bathshebas child died. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Following is a list of the wives of David that we know the names of, along with where they were from, and Bible verses that mention them. Adultery is still sin. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? The Bible even refers to him as a "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Our sins always affect future generations. In rebellion against his father, Absalom mounted a coup against David and briefly took the kingdom (2 Samuel 15-17). Maacah, whose father Talmai was king of Geshur, married David while he was in exile and her children included a son named Absalom and a daughter named Tamar. At this point David was desperate. In verse 15, David is described writing a letter to his general, Joab, telling him to put Uriah on the front lines where the fighting is fiercest, and then to withdraw, leaving Uriah undefended. Bathsheba was David's last wife (at least the last one mentioned in the Bible) and probably his most famous. David repents and worships. Nathan calmly told the king: "You are the man," meaning that God had revealed to the prophet the truth of David's adultery, deceit, and murder of Uriah. David betrayed his parental responsibilities. These were born to David at Hebron. As described in 1 Samuel 25, she was first married to a wealthy man named Nabal who treated David cheaply. In other words, she was not truly willing to sleep with him, but he was the king. Even though God favored his second son with Bathsheba, this doesnt mean that God wanted their relationship to happen. They are: -Japhia-Elishama-Eliada-Eliphelet-Tamar, the only daughter named amongst David's children. If you have perpetrated crimes or taken advantage of others, you can confess your sins and change your habits. All rights reserved. Please be patient. Nathan told David a few scary consequences of his sin: 1) His secret sin would be made public. God gave David many opportunities to resist temptation. Ahinoam married David while he was in exile from Saul, and had Davids firstborn son, Amnon. Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. https://www.learnreligions.com/bathsheba-king-davids-most-famous-wife-117306 (accessed May 2, 2023). How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. No other account in the Bible so vividly captures the heart-wrenching struggle of a sinful man who earnestly sought after the Lord yet failed to measure up. Products that will appeal to the young and young at heart. He founded the Judaean dynasty and united all the tribes of Israel under a single monarch. A lack of integrity in one area always seeps into a lack of integrity in other areas. 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible Who Was Mary Magdalene in the Bible? Davids passages of confession and repentance are some of the most-read and most encouraging Psalms in Scripture. Given that context, David may have had so many partners because he was in an addictive cycle. At first, David called Bathshebas husband, Uriah, away from the battle to give him a report of the army. Notes:1. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. David is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After this, the Lord struck Nabal and took his life. What Does the Bible Tell Us about the Prophet Daniel? We learn more about Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba, but not much about how David related to them over time. The true king of Israel, the messiah and the one who would sit on the eternal throne, would be an heir of King David (2 Samuel 7:12; Psalms 89:3-4; Psalms 132:11). Why did God punish David and Bathsheba's innocent child with death? We know that David promised Bathsheba her son Solomon would succeed him and that she warned him that Adonijah was trying to usurp the throne (1 Kings 1:17). Nathan told the powerful king a tale of a poor shepherd whose lamb was stolen by a rich man. Bathsheba was King David's most famous and controversial wife, in part because their marriage came after an illicit extramarital affair at the height of David's reign over Judah and Israel (circa 1005965 BCE). Not long after Bathsheba and David committed adultery, Bathsheba sent a message to David telling him she was pregnant. When it came time to be paid, Nabal instead refused to pay . Consequently, Bathsheba and David had sex at one of the best possible moments for her to conceivewhich she did, with tragic results. Learn Religions. Bathsheba is the wife most people associate with David . Most of the sons mentioned from these womencaused much strife and grief in Davids family. We know that David's first children were born in Hebron, where David was made king following the death of Saul (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 1 Chronicles 3:4). So David sends Uriah back to the front with a note for Joab, the general, to put Uriah in an exposed position where hell be killedto make sure by pulling the other troops back and leaving him stranded. Absolutely not! The Jesus Revolution Comes to Hollywood: Will Thousands Be Converted? This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. Admittedly, its not always the most exciting part of the Bible to read, however it is incredibly important for understanding the historical accounts recorded. Bathsheba was a daughter of Eliam and was probably of noble birth. The first is that everything in the Bible is worth learning on some level. Though David was both a good and bad father at times, he was never meant to be the perfect example to follow. The gifts had previously been given to King Saul. Later she and David had a second son, Solomon, who God favored (2 Samuel 12:25).
Michigan International Speedway Deaths,
Weak Hip Flexors Gait,
Articles H